Banjika Day 4 (Day 11: May 28)
Today was our second day in our homestays! After eating breakfast at home, we arrived at school with our buddies at 7:45. We shared our appreciations for the warm welcomes we had received. We then had the chance to eat a little more while catching up as our buddies took their morning exams. At 8:30, we had an activity to reflect on the cultural norms we had observed so far in Tanzania. At 9:00, representatives from “Tunza Africa” came to educate us on their work as an NGO. Their mission is to educate schools, women, and farmers on healthy habits, and how to plant sustainable produce. Once our buddies finished their exams, they joined us for the rest of the lesson as we enjoyed a brief break for snacks and tea. Tunza Africa taught us and our buddies to “add color to our plates,” and together, we planned out American and Tanzanian meals that incorporated a variety of different nutrients. Afterwards, we had lunch and bonded more with each other and our buddies. Next, we walked over to a brick making site, where we observed the process of creating and shaping bricks. We had the opportunity to make some bricks ourselves, and also helped the workers stack bricks (by the end of it, our clothes were covered in clay)! We returned to Banjika, and closed out the day together with our anchor. Everyone went home to clean up, and some neighboring families enjoyed a wholesome dinner together!
- Annie + Bella
The founder of Tunza Africa spoke with us, and it was inspiring to hear from someone so deeply committed to their community and to making a difference locally. We also had the opportunity to join a lesson with local students focused on nutrition and healthy living, which made the experience especially meaningful. We learned how Tunza Africa has supported Banjika Secondary School by improving water collection systems and starting a school garden to promote healthy eating.
